Congratulations 2017 Graduates - Top 50 in State OP 1-5

Congratulations 2017 Graduates - Top 50 in State OP 1-5

With the release of OP results in December, shortly followed by university offers and employment opportunities, the future is looking bright for our 2017 graduates.

Of the cohort of 80 students, 99 per cent achieved a QCE, VET or SAT and 77.5 per cent were OP eligible. Of the OP eligible students, 29 per cent achieved an OP 1-5, with three students achieving an OP 1. The cohort's success in the OP 1-5 bracket was recently recognised in The Courier Mail, with Pacific Lutheran College named in the top 50 Queensland schools for this achievement.

Further study in Medicine, Science and the Arts, a role in the Defence Force and a trade apprenticeship are just some of the different pathways our students will be embarking on this year.

Olivia McCluskey, Alli Whitmore and Paige Layfield achieved the highest honour, an OP 1. Olivia received a place in the first cohort of Medical Science students at the University of the Sunshine Coast, a highly sought after program with only 20 places available. Speaking with WIN News Sunshine Coast, Olivia said it was a dream to secure a spot in the highly sought after program.

Paige and Alli have both accepted offers through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).

Paige will be studying a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University on an accelerated pathway with guaranteed entry into a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

“I was pretty ecstatic to get an OP 1 and even more so to get into the course at Melbourne University,” Paige said.

“I grew up on farms and love animals, so it’s a career I’ve wanted to pursue since I was a little girl! I’d eventually like to open my own practice, but in the meantime I’m just looking forward to the freedom of university and being back with my family in Melbourne,” she said.

Alli was accepted for a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre) at Victorian College of the Arts, one of Australia’s best Performing Arts universities and has big plans for her future.

“I was so excited when I received the offer. I’ve been on the Coast my whole life so I am looking forward to branching out and exploring a new city,” Alli said.

“Ultimately, I want to create political theatre and really shine a light on different community issues.”

2017 College Vice Captain, Georgia Woods, achieved an OP 2 and will be studying a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Queensland University of Technology.

“When the OP results were released I was delighted! Our whole cohort did really well so it’s nice to share the success with my peers,” Georgia said.

“I really want to pursue a career in medicine and would love to work through Doctors Without Boarders eventually, they are a really inspiring organisation,” she said.

2017 College Captain, Samuel Wilson, has secured a role in the Defence Force after undertaking a lengthy application process last year where he was highly recommended for a position.

“I was extremely happy to be offered the role of Maritime Warfare Officer with the Navy as I’ve always wanted to be part of the Defence Force.”

“Through ADFA I will also complete a Bachelor of Business but I want to keep working my way up in the Navy and eventually rank and become a captain,” Sam said.

Jamie Beasley was the highest-ranking student in Visual Art last year and has been accepted into a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Griffith University, which is an extremely competitive course to get into.

“I felt really privileged to even be considered for a place in this course and was so nervous when the offers came out,” Jamie said.

“I couldn't believe it when I got in and I’m really looking forward to being independent and just doing what I love!”

Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways were also popular amongst the 2017 cohort with 15 students undertaking industry or school based traineeships and completing a range of certificate and diploma courses.

Ben Holt has secured an electrical apprenticeship after following a VET pathway and completing trade training in conjunction with his senior studies.

“In Year 12 I completed a Certificate III in Basic Health Care and a Certificate II in Electro Technology,” he said.

“I’ve always wanted to pursue an electrical trade so was pretty happy to be offered an apprenticeship with Platinum Electrical straight after school.”

We celebrate with the entire 2017 Year 12 cohort and congratulate all students on their hard work to achieve their personal goals.